By John David Hicks
Lord, I enter your gates with thanksgiving and your courts with praise; I bless your Holy Name (Ps. 100:4-5). I acknowledge and Worship you as my Lord, Savior and King (2 Pet. 1:10-11).
Lord, you have given your life to redeem me, made me your child and given me and an everlasting inheritance of yourself. I thank you that I am deeply loved, highly favored and greatly blessed by you. Your love for me has been unchangeable, unshakable and unfailing. I receive your abundance of grace and your gift of righteousness. With no condemnation, you said that I will reign in life (Rom. 5:17). You have made me more than a conqueror through Jesus Christ who loves me (Rom. 8:37).
In these evil days help me to “redeem the time” (Eph. 5:16). I desire to do your will and make you known. Let your presence flow like a river through me into all I touch today (John 7:38). As your ambassador you called me to the ministry of reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18-20). You have anointed me to minister to the poor, heal the brokenhearted, set the captives free, and liberate those who are oppressed (Luke 4:18-19). Lord, I pray for many open doors of opportunities to testify of your grace (Col. 4:3). Show me what you are up to today (Eph. 5:17). I want to be a part of it. In Jesus’ Name I pray—Amen and Amen.
The Secret:
I met God in the morning
When my day was at its best,
And His Presence came like sunrise
Like a glory in my breast.
All day long the Presence lingered,
All day long He stayed with me,
And we sailed in perfect calmness
O’er a very troubled sea.
Other ships were blown and battered,
Other ships were sore distressed,
But the winds that seemed to drive them
Brought to us a peace and rest.
Then I thought of other mornings,
With a keen remorse of mind,
When I, too, had loosed the moorings
With the Presence left behind.
So I think I know the secret,
Learned from many a troubled way;
You must seek Him in the morning
If you want Him through the day.
–Ralph Cushman